System and method for electronically tagging items for use in controlling electrical devices

ABSTRACT

A system and method for electronically tagging items for use in controlling electrical devices are disclosed. A particular embodiment includes: a controller; a tag reader interface in data communication with the controller, the tag reader interface being configured to receive item information read from an electronically readable tag attached to an item placed in an electrical device; a display device driver in data communication with the controller for driving the display of operational messages for a user/operator of the electrical device, the operational messages being based on the item information; and an appliance interface in data communication with the controller for receiving control commands from the controller and for issuing corresponding control signals for controlling the electrical device, the control commands being based on the item information.

PRIORITY APPLICATION

This is a continuation patent application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/496,161; filed Sep. 25, 2014. The present patent applicationdraws priority from the referenced patent application. The entiredisclosure of the referenced patent application is considered part ofthe disclosure of the present application and is hereby incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This patent application relates to electronic or electrical systems ordevices, appliances, and computer-implemented software, according tovarious example embodiments, and more specifically to a system andmethod for electronically tagging items for use in controllingelectrical devices.

BACKGROUND

Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is a conventional technology thatuses communication via radio waves to exchange data between a reader andan electronic tag attached to an object, typically for the purpose ofidentification and tracking. Some tags can be read from several metersaway and beyond the line of sight of the reader. The application of bulkreading enables an almost parallel reading of a plurality of tags.

Radio-frequency identification involves interrogators (also known asreaders), and tags. Most RFID tags contain at least two parts. One partis typically an integrated circuit for storing and processinginformation, modulating and demodulating a radio-frequency (RF) signal,and other specialized functions. The other part is an antenna forreceiving and transmitting the RF signal. RFID tags can be passive RFIDtags, which have no power source and require an external electromagneticfield to initiate a signal transmission, or active RFID tags, whichcontain a battery and can transmit signals once an external source(e.g., an interrogator) has been successfully identified.

RFID technology is used in the apparel and textile manufacturingindustry. This technology was introduced in the textile industry manyyears ago. In the apparel retail sector, RFID is widely used by bigretailers for security and for tracking sales stock and real timeinformation. However, RFID and other electronic tagging technologieshave not been extensively used for controlling electrical devices.

It can be frustrating and expensive if one fails to keep track of andmanage care instructions for clothing. Apparel can be easily ruined ifcare instructions are not properly followed. Typically, items ofclothing have a tag or label sewn inside one of the seams. The tags orlabels themselves are sometimes a nuisance and are often cut off orbecome unreadable due to wear and tear. The information on the tags isalso often hard to read and understand. It can also be difficult tomatch the care instructions on the tag of clothing to the optionsprovided on a clothes washer and dryer. Washers and dryers have becomequite sophisticated in the options they provide for specialized careneeds; but, it can be overwhelming to remember each and every garment'sindividual care instructions.

Currently, the way to obtain care instructions for garments is to readthe label and try to interpret the symbols and instructions. Sometimesit is even harder to understand symbols and instructions if the clothesare imported from abroad. This can be time-consuming and prone tomisinterpretation, which can result in ruined clothing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various embodiments are illustrated by way of example, and not byway of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example embodiment for applying an electronicallyreadable tag or label to an item;

FIG. 2 illustrates a top-loading clothes washer as an appliance of anexample embodiment;

FIG. 3 illustrates a clothes dryer as an appliance of an exampleembodiment;

FIG. 4 illustrates the system architecture of an example embodiment ofthe appliance control module;

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate sample information displays generated by themicrocontroller and presented on the display device of an exampleembodiment;

FIG. 7 illustrates an item sorter of an example embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a processing flow chart illustrating an example embodiment ofa method as described herein; and

FIG. 9 shows a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the exampleform of a mobile computing and/or communication system within which aset of instructions when executed and/or processing logic when activatedmay cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologiesdescribed and/or claimed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the various embodiments. It will be evident, however,to one of ordinary skill in the art that the various embodiments may bepracticed without these specific details.

In the various embodiments described herein, a system and method forelectronically tagging items for use in controlling electrical devicesare disclosed. The disclosed embodiments can be used with a wide varietyof electrical or electronic devices, appliances, or other electricalequipment, such as clothes washers, clothes dryers, steam cleaners,industrial clothes presses, and the like. Example embodiments aredescribed in more detail below.

Clothes washers, dryers, and other appliances have become quitesophisticated in the options they provide for specialized care needs;but, it can be overwhelming to remember each and every garment'sindividual care instructions. The various embodiments described hereinprovide an automated solution to reduce the workload of the applianceuser/operator. The various embodiments described herein employ anelectronically readable item tag or label, which can be attached orembedded in an item, such as an item of clothing. The electronicallyreadable item tag or label can be automatically read and interpreted bythe electrical appliance (e.g., a clothes washer, dryer, etc.) to allowfor automatic configuration of the appliance to accommodate the specificneeds of a load of items (e.g., a load of laundry) being processed bythe appliance. As a result, the various embodiments provide customizedcare of items and decrease the workload of the user/operator.

In the various embodiments described herein, the electronically readableitem tag or label can be a microchip, a radio-frequency identification(RFID) tag, a barcode, a Quick Response (QR) code, or the like embeddedin the hem of an item of clothing, attached to a portion of the garment,attached to a garment label, or attached or embedded into an item. Thegeneral use of RFID tags, barcodes and QR codes are well known to thoseof ordinary skill in the art. The various embodiments described hereinapply these known technologies to the electronic tagging of items foruse in controlling electrical devices as described in more detail below.

In conventional systems, the way to obtain care instructions forgarments is for the appliance user/operator to manually read the labeland try to interpret the symbols and instructions on the label.Sometimes it is even harder to understand symbols and instructions ifthe items are imported from abroad or the labels are written in anon-native language. This can be time-consuming for the applianceuser/operator and prone to misinterpretation, which can result in ruinedclothing or other items.

The various embodiments described herein provide a better solution. Aselectronically tagged items of a load (e.g., a load of clothing) areplaced inside or near an appliance (e.g., a clothes washer, dryer,etc.), a reader attached to the appliance is configured to read theelectronically readable item tag or label on each item placed into ornear the appliance. A data processor and memory, microcontroller, orother control system in the appliance can record the particular careinstructions and other item information encoded into the electronic tagof each item. A variety of item information can be encoded into theelectronic tag of each item. For example, the encoded item informationcan include: the care instructions (e.g., washing, drying, ironinginstructions, etc.) of the garment, the garment manufacturer, provenanceinformation, the sourcing of materials and the manufacturing processesused, the date of manufacture and/or purchase, the name or identity ofthe owner or purchaser, the item stock keeping unit (SKU) number, thesize of the garment, the dry weight and wet weight of the garment, theidentity of the materials from which the garment is made, safetyadvisories, storage and disposal advisories, special care instructionsor warnings, the number of times the item has been washed or dried, aflammability coding, a water resistance coding, allergen warnings,government or industry rating data, manufacturer identification data,pricing information, liability limitations, copyright or trademarkadvisories, website or uniform resource locator (URL) links, and thelike. The data processor or microcontroller can aggregate and record theretrieved item data for all items in the load being processed by theappliance. An information display on the appliance can show careinstructions and item information. This displayed information caninclude the number of times the item has been washed, the material fromwhich the garment is made, whether it is safe to bleach or iron theitem, etc. The appliance (e.g., washer, dryer, etc.) can alsoautomatically suggest washing and drying settings according to the careinstructions read from the electronically readable item tag. Thesuggested settings can be displayed to a user/operator via a lightemitting diode (LED) display or other conventional display device on theappliance. If multiple items are present in or near the appliance, thedata processor or microcontroller in the appliance can suggest idealsettings based on the care needs of the items in the appliance and/orpresent a warning that one or more of the items have conflicting careneeds. Additionally, for appliances that support an applicationprogramming interface (API) provided with an example embodiment, thedata processor or microcontroller can automatically configure thesettings of the appliance based on the item information read from theelectronically readable item tags of the items placed into or near theappliance. For example, the data processor or microcontroller maydetermine that several delicate garment items have been placed into theappliance (e.g., a clothes washer) by reading the electronic tags of theitems in the load. Based on this determination, the data processor ormicrocontroller can automatically program the washer to use a wash cycleconfigured for delicate loads. In this manner, an example embodiment canautomatically configure the settings of an appliance based on theparticular needs or characteristics of the items in a load beingprocessed by the appliance.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an example embodiment is illustrated forapplying an electronically readable tag or label on an item. In theparticular embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a garment 102 is tagged in any ofa variety of ways with an electronically readable item tag or label 100.As shown, the electronically readable item tag 100 can be a microchip, aradio-frequency identification (RFID) tag, a barcode, a Quick Response(QR) code, or the like embedded in the hem of an item of clothing,attached to a portion of the garment, attached to a garment label, orotherwise attached or embedded into an item. In other embodiments,dishware, silverware, or other kitchen or dining utensils can also betagged with an electronically readable tag or label 100. In still otherembodiments, food items, cleaning items, bathroom items, tools, or otherhousehold items can also be tagged with an electronically readable tagor label 100. In each case, the electronically readable item tag orlabel 100 can be configured to be waterproof, wear-resistant, heat andcold resistant, and configured for permanent or semi-permanentattachment to an item or object by adhesive, bonding, stitching, orembedding into the material of the item.

Each electronically readable item tag or label 100 can be encoded withitem information pertaining to the item to which the tag 100 isattached. In the case of a microchip or an RFID tag, the information canbe read by a reader using a radio frequency (RF) signal receiver as wellknown to those of ordinary skill in the art. In the case of a barcode ora Quick Response (QR) code, the information can be read by a scannerconfigured to decode the arrangement of printed shapes in the barcode orQR code image as well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Ineach case, the item information encoded into the tag 100 can be read orscanned and transferred to a data processor or microcontroller(generally a controller) for processing. As described above, a varietyof item information can be encoded into the electronic tag of each item.As a result, a variety of item-specific information can beelectronically passed from the tag 100 on each item to a data processoror microcontroller as described in more detail below.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, an example embodiment is illustrated for usewith any of a variety of appliances, such as the top-loading clotheswasher 200 shown in FIG. 2 or the clothes dryer 201 shown in FIG. 3. Itwill be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of thedisclosure herein that other types of appliances (e.g., dishwashers,refrigerators, and the like) can be configured to include thetechnologies disclosed herein.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the top-loading clothes washer 200 of anexample embodiment is shown to include an RFID reader 210, which can beaffixed to the top of the washer 200 near an opening into which clothingitems are placed. Such RFID readers are well-known to those of ordinaryskill in the art. In a similar fashion, the clothes dryer 201 shown inFIG. 3 can include an RFID reader 210, which can be affixed to the frontof the dryer 201 near an opening into which clothing items are placed.As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, items placed into appliances 200 or 201 caneach include electronically readable item tags or labels 100. As theseitems are placed into appliances 200 or 201, the items come intoproximity of the RFID reader 210. As a result, the RFID reader 210 canelectronically read the item information encoded into the electronicallyreadable item tag 100 of each item. This item information can betransferred to an appliance control module 220 described in more detailbelow.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the top-loading clothes washer 200 of anexample embodiment is shown to include a barcode or QR code scanner 235,which can be installed in an upper portion of the washer 200 near anopening into which clothing items are placed. Such barcode or QR codescanners are well-known to those of ordinary skill in the art. In asimilar fashion, the clothes dryer 201 shown in FIG. 3 includes abarcode or QR code scanner 235, which can be installed in the front ofthe dryer 201 near an opening into which clothing items are placed. Asshown in FIGS. 2 and 3, items placed into appliances 200 or 201 can eachinclude electronically readable item tags or labels 100. However, someitems may not have a microchip, RFID tag, or other radio-enabled tag.Some items in load 202 may only include a barcode or QR code on the itemlabel or somewhere on the item. Because these items without aradio-enabled tag cannot be automatically read by the RFID reader 210,the user/operator can pass these items in front of barcode or QR codescanner 235. As a result, the barcode or QR code scanner 235 canelectronically read the item information encoded into the electronicallyreadable item tag 100 of each item. This item information can betransferred to the appliance control module 220 described in more detailbelow.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the top-loading clothes washer 200 of anexample embodiment is shown to include a display device 230, which canbe installed in an upper portion of the washer 200 and easily visible tothe user/operator. The display device 230 can be a standard a lightemitting diode (LED) display, plasma display, or other conventionaldisplay device. Such display devices are well-known to those of ordinaryskill in the art. In a similar fashion, the clothes dryer 201 shown inFIG. 3 can include a display device 230, which can be installed in thefront of the dryer 201 and easily visible to the user/operator. Thedisplay device 230 can be used to display messages or prompts to theuser/operator of the appliance. These messages or prompts can begenerated by the appliance control module 220 described in more detailbelow. In some embodiments, the display device 230 can be a standardtouchscreen display device, which accepts user/operator inputs andcommand selections. These user/operator inputs and command selectionscan also be transferred to the appliance control module 220 described inmore detail below.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the diagram illustrates the system architectureof an example embodiment of the appliance control module 220. Asdescribed above, the appliance control module 220 receives iteminformation read from the electronically readable item tags 100 on theitems of a load 202 in or near the appliance. The radio-enabled tags 100can be read by the RFID reader 210. The item information can be receivedat the appliance control module 220 from the RFID reader 210 by anelectronic tag reader interface 310. Using well-known protocols, theelectronic tag reader interface 310 can receive electronic signals fromthe RFID reader 210 and convert the received signals tocomputer-readable tag data or item data representing the iteminformation read from the tags 100. The item information can be passedto a microcontroller 320. The non-radio-enabled tags 100 in load 202 canbe scanned by the barcode/QR code scanner 235. The item information canbe received at the appliance control module 220 from the barcode/QR codescanner 235 by an electronic scanner interface 315. Using well-knownprotocols, the electronic scanner interface 315 can receive electronicsignals from the barcode/QR code scanner 235 and convert the receivedsignals to computer-readable tag data or item data representing the iteminformation scanned from the tags 100. The item information can bepassed to the microcontroller 320.

The microcontroller 320 or controller of an example embodiment generallyhandles the user/operator interface and the automatic control of anappliance based on the item information associated with a load beingprocessed by the appliance. The microcontroller 320 can be a specializedprocessing module of a particular appliance. Alternatively, themicrocontroller 320 can be a general data processor of the appliance.The microcontroller 320 can also be implemented using standard discretelogic components, semiconductor logic, application-specific integratedcircuits (ASIC), field programmable gate array (FPGA) components, or anyof a variety of conventional electronic components and techniques. Inthe example embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the microcontroller 320 receivesitem information read from the tags 100 of items in or near an applianceas described above. The microcontroller 320 can aggregate and record thereceived item data in a configuration data store and logic element 322for all items in the load 202 being processed by the appliance. Themicrocontroller 320 can use logic preconfigured into the configurationdata store and logic element 322 to generate information displays forpresentation to a user/operator via the display driver 330 and thedisplay device 230. For example, the microcontroller 320 canautomatically generate information displays to suggest washing and/ordrying settings according to the care instructions read from theelectronically readable item tags 100 of the load 202. If multiple itemsare present in the appliance, the microcontroller 320 can suggest idealsettings based on the aggregated care needs of the items in theappliance and/or present a warning that one or more of the items in theload 202 have conflicting care needs. The microcontroller 320 cansuggest appliance settings for the user/operator to approve or reject.The microcontroller 320 can also provide suggestions, such as whiteclothing should not be washed with dark colored clothing that may bleedor discolor the white clothing. As particular examples for illustration,sample information displays generated by microcontroller 320 andpresented on display device 230 are shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. If theuser/operator doesn't agree with the suggestions presented on thedisplay device 230 by the microcontroller 320, the user/operator has theoption of selecting their own custom wash or dry. Additionally, theuser/operator can be prompted to automatically add the appropriateamounts of soap, fabric softener, and bleach based on the load size andclothing types as read from the item tags 100. If an item is placed inthe appliance that shouldn't be included in the load 202 (e.g. a dryclean only item or an item that requires a special garment bag), awarning can be displayed on the display device 230 to alert theuser/operator (e.g., see FIG. 6). A particular embodiment can also havepredefined weight profiles for clothes and can check clothing forforgotten items left in pockets by comparing the weight profiles ofitems in the load 202 with the current weight of items inside theappliance.

Referring still to FIG. 4, the appliance control module 220 of anexample embodiment can automatically configure and control the operationof an appliance based on the item information obtained from theelectronically readable tags of the items in the load. For appliancesthat support an application programming interface (API) 345 providedwith an example embodiment, the microcontroller 320 can automaticallyconfigure the settings of the appliance based on the information readfrom the electronically readable tags of the items placed into or nearthe appliance. An appliance interface 340 is provided in a particularembodiment to convert appliance settings or control signals into a formcompatible with an API 345 for a particular class of appliances orelectrical devices. As a result, the microcontroller 320 can generateand issue appliance settings or control commands to configure theoperation of an appliance. For example, the microcontroller 320 maydetermine that several delicate garment items have been placed into anappliance (e.g., a clothes washer) by reading the electronic tags of theitems in the load. Based on this determination, the microcontroller 320can use the appliance interface 340 to automatically program the washerto use a wash cycle configured for delicate loads. In this manner, anexample embodiment can automatically configure the settings andoperation of an appliance based on the particular needs orcharacteristics of the items in a load being processed by the appliance.

Referring still to FIG. 4, the appliance control module 220 of anexample embodiment can include a network interface 350 and a wirelesstransceiver 360. The combination of the network interface 350 and thewireless transceiver 360 enables the appliance control module 220 to bein network communication with a local area network or a wide areanetwork, such as the Internet. Using well-known network protocols andelectrical interfaces, the appliance control module 220 and themicrocontroller 320 therein can establish a data connection with variousnetwork-accessible external resources, such as servers, websites, anddistributed databases. These external resources can be accessed by theappliance control module 220 to enable the appliance control module 220to gather additional information related to items detected in aparticular load. For example, the appliance control module 220 can useitem information read from an electronically readable item tag toretrieve additional information pertaining to the item from an externalresource. As a result, the appliance control module 220 can retrieve ahighly detailed set of item information from external resources based onitem information read from an electronically readable item tag. Theappliance control module 220 can also use the network interface 350 toretrieve a highly detailed set of additional appliance informationpertaining to a particular appliance or electrical device beingcontrolled by the appliance control module 220. The appliance controlmodule 220 can use this additional appliance information to moreaccurately and robustly control the operation of the appliance.Moreover, the appliance control module 220 can use the network interface350 to retrieve additional configuration data and logic for storage inconfiguration data and logic store 322 and use by the appliance controlmodule 220. Additionally, the network interface 350 can be used byauthorized external network resources to monitor and control theoperation of the appliance control module 220 from a remote site. Inthis manner, the appliance control module 220 at one or more sites canbe networked together and controlled or monitored by a network host.

FIG. 7 illustrates an item sorter of an example embodiment. Given theelectronically readable item tags or labels 100 attached to items ofclothing as described above, a particular embodiment includes a laundrysorter 400 for separating items into sorted bins 410 based on the iteminformation read by the RFID reader 210 or the barcode/QR code scanner235. A microcontroller of laundry sorter 400 can receive iteminformation read from the tags 100 of items placed in the sorter 400 asdescribed above. The microcontroller can use preconfigured logic tocontrol the sorter 400 to separate particular items into sorted bins 410based on the item information. Items can be sorted in a variety ofgroupings as defined by user-defined parameters. The laundry sorter 400for sorting laundry based on the electronically read item informationcan be configured for both commercial and residential users.

In various alternative embodiments, the appliance control module asdescribed herein can be adapted for a variety of electrical orelectronic devices, appliances, or other electrical equipment, such asclothes washers, clothes dryers, steam cleaners, industrial clothespresses, dishwashers, refrigerators, or other types of appliances. Theitems placed into or with these appliances can be electronically taggedas described above. As also described above, the operation of theappliances can be automatically configured based on the specific iteminformation read by the appliance control module from the items placedinto or with the appliances. In this manner, the appliances can beconfigured to alert a user/operator regarding a variety of conditions.For example, in the case of a refrigerator, an embodiment can alert auser/operator regarding food items that are about to expire or fooditems that may be hazardous if consumed in a raw form. Additionally, theuser/operator can be alerted regarding issues related to safety,storage, and disposal. As described above, the various embodiments canalso configure the operation of the appliances based on the specificitem information read from the electronic tags on each item. As aresult, the various embodiments described herein provide systems andmethods for electronically tagging items for use in controllingelectrical devices.

In other alternative embodiments, the embedding of electronicallyreadable item tags or labels into apparel can provide corporations andretailers with more opportunities and information to increase sales.When a consumer walks into a store, the retailer can collect sizinginformation that allows sales associates to guide customers to certainsections of the store. The embedding of electronically readable itemtags or labels into apparel can also allow retailers to offer specialsales for repeat customers or even a discount if the individual isalready wearing a product that was recently purchased. This allows for amore personalized and tailored shopping experience. In addition to animproved customer experience, the inventory process can be improved andsimplified using a wand that can read the electronically readable itemtags or labels. A retailer can pass the wand over clothing racks andshelves to get sizing, color, and quantity information for all theproducts based on the tag information read from the electronicallyreadable item tags or labels.

In addition to the advantages of the disclosed embodiments forcorporations or retailers, consumers can also obtain value from theembedding of electronically readable item tags or labels into apparel asdisclosed herein. For example, consumers can scan items while shoppingto obtain tag information from the electronically readable item tags orlabels attached to products of interest. The tag information can informthe consumer as to the materials used in the manufacture of products,their origins, dyes used, sizing information, comparison to previouspurchases, wash instructions, reviews, etc. This would provide consumersmore control over the purchases they make and would even help them tofind items similar to previous purchases if the previously purchaseditems are old and worn out. Consumers worried about environmentalconditions associated with the manufacturing of their clothing can findinstantaneous information on the factory conditions where the garmentwas made as well as the sourcing of materials to avoid areas ofconflict. This can help to improve work conditions, the use ofsustainable materials, and reduction of pollution due to chemicalprocesses used during manufacturing.

Thus, the example embodiments described herein provide a technicalsolution to a technical problem. The various embodiments improve thefunctioning of a variety of classes of appliances by providingelectronic tagging of items used in controlling the operation ofelectrical devices, such as appliances. The various embodiments alsoserve to transform the operational state of appliances to a differentand improved state by virtue of the variety of manipulations,modifications, and/or controls applied to the appliances based on theitem information read from the item tags. Additionally, the variousembodiments effect an improvement in a variety of technical fieldsincluding the fields of appliance control, home computing, informationsharing, and device communications.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a processing flow diagram illustrates anexample embodiment of a method 1100 for a method as described herein.The method 1100 of an example embodiment includes: reading anelectronically readable tag attached to an item placed in an electricaldevice to retrieve item information from the electronically readable tag(processing block 1110); generating operational messages and controlcommands based on the item information (processing block 1120);displaying the operational messages for a user/operator of theelectrical device, the operational messages being based on the iteminformation (processing block 1130); and issuing control signals forcontrolling the electrical device, the control signals being based onthe item information (processing block 1140).

FIG. 9 shows a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the exampleform of a mobile computing and/or communication system 700 within whicha set of instructions when executed and/or processing logic whenactivated may cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies described and/or claimed herein. In alternativeembodiments, the machine operates as a standalone device or may beconnected (e.g., networked) to other machines. In a networkeddeployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or aclient machine in server-client network environment, or as a peermachine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment. Themachine may be a personal computer (PC), a laptop computer, a tabletcomputing system, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a cellulartelephone, a smartphone, a web appliance, a set-top box (STB), a networkrouter, switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing a set ofinstructions (sequential or otherwise) or activating processing logicthat specify actions to be taken by that machine. Further, while only asingle machine is illustrated, the term “machine” can also be taken toinclude any collection of machines that individually or jointly executea set (or multiple sets) of instructions or processing logic to performany one or more of the methodologies described and/or claimed herein.

The example computing and/or communication system 700 can include a dataprocessor 702 (e.g., a System-on-a-Chip (SoC), general processing core,graphics core, and optionally other processing logic) and a memory 704,which can communicate with each other via a bus or other data transfersystem 706. The computing and/or communication system 700 may furtherinclude various input/output (I/O) devices and/or interfaces 710, suchas a touchscreen display and optionally a network interface 712. In anexample embodiment, the network interface 712 can include one or moreradio transceivers configured for compatibility with any one or morestandard wireless and/or cellular protocols or access technologies(e.g., 2nd (2G), 2.5, 3rd (3G), 4th (4G) generation, and futuregeneration radio access for cellular systems, Global System for Mobilecommunication (GSM), General Packet Radio Services (GPRS), Enhanced DataGSM Environment (EDGE), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA),LTE, CDMA2000, WLAN, Wireless Router (WR) mesh, and the like). Networkinterface 712 may also be configured for use with various other wiredand/or wireless communication protocols, including TCP/IP, UDP, SIP,SMS, RTP, WAP, CDMA, TDMA, UMTS, UWB, WiFi, WiMax, Bluetooth, IEEE802.11x, and the like. In essence, network interface 712 may include orsupport virtually any wired and/or wireless communication mechanisms bywhich information may travel between the computing and/or communicationsystem 700 and another computing or communication system via network714.

The memory 704 can represent a machine-readable medium on which isstored one or more sets of instructions, software, firmware, or otherprocessing logic (e.g., logic 708) embodying any one or more of themethodologies or functions described and/or claimed herein. The logic708, or a portion thereof, may also reside, completely or at leastpartially within the processor 702 during execution thereof by thecomputing and/or communication system 700. As such, the memory 704 andthe processor 702 may also constitute machine-readable media. The logic708, or a portion thereof, may also be configured as processing logic orlogic, at least a portion of which is partially implemented in hardware.The logic 708, or a portion thereof, may further be transmitted orreceived over a network 714 via the network interface 712. While themachine-readable medium of an example embodiment can be a single medium,the term “machine-readable medium” should be taken to include a singlenon-transitory medium or multiple non-transitory media (e.g., acentralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches andcomputing systems) that store the one or more sets of instructions. Theterm “machine-readable medium” can also be taken to include anynon-transitory medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying aset of instructions for execution by the machine and that cause themachine to perform any one or more of the methodologies of the variousembodiments, or that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying datastructures utilized by or associated with such a set of instructions.The term “machine-readable medium” can accordingly be taken to include,but not be limited to, solid-state memories, optical media, and magneticmedia.

In various embodiments as described herein, example embodiments includeat least the following examples.

An apparatus comprising: a controller; a tag reader interface in datacommunication with the controller, the tag reader interface beingconfigured to receive item information read from an electronicallyreadable tag attached to an item placed in an electrical device; adisplay device driver in data communication with the controller fordriving the display of operational messages for a user/operator of theelectrical device, the operational messages being based on the iteminformation; and an appliance interface in data communication with thecontroller for receiving control commands from the controller and forissuing corresponding control signals for controlling the electricaldevice, the control commands being based on the item information.

The apparatus as claimed above further including a scanner interface indata communication with the controller, the scanner interface beingconfigured to receive item information read from the electronicallyreadable tag attached to the item placed in the electrical device.

The apparatus as claimed above wherein the electronically readable tagis of a type from the group consisting of: a microchip, aradio-frequency identification (RFID) tag, a barcode, and a QuickResponse (QR) code.

The apparatus as claimed above further including a network interface indata communication with the controller, the network interface beingconfigured to enable the controller to communicate with external networkresources.

The apparatus as claimed above wherein the electrical device is of atype from the group consisting of: a clothes washer, a clothes dryer, asteam cleaner, an industrial clothes press, a dishwasher, arefrigerator, and an appliance.

The apparatus as claimed above wherein the item information is of a typefrom the group consisting of: item care instructions, the itemmanufacturer, a date of manufacture or purchase, a name or identity ofan owner or purchaser, and an item stock keeping unit (SKU) number.

The apparatus as claimed above being further configured to detectconflicting care needs of items placed in the electrical device.

An appliance comprising: a tag reader configured to read iteminformation from an electronically readable tag attached to an itemplaced in the appliance; a display device for displaying operationalmessages for a user/operator of the appliance, the operational messagesbeing based on the item information; and an appliance control module indata communication with the tag reader and the display device, theappliance control module including: a controller; a tag reader interfacein data communication with the controller and the tag reader, the tagreader interface being configured to receive the item information readfrom the electronically readable tag attached to the item placed in theappliance; a display device driver in data communication with thecontroller and the display device, the display device driver for drivingthe display of operational messages for the user/operator of theapparatus, the operational messages being based on the item information;and an appliance interface in data communication with the controller forreceiving control commands from the controller and for issuingcorresponding control signals to the apparatus, the control commandsbeing based on the item information.

The appliance as claimed above further including a scanner interface indata communication with the controller, the scanner interface beingconfigured to receive item information read from the electronicallyreadable tag attached to the item placed in the appliance.

The appliance as claimed above wherein the electronically readable tagis of a type from the group consisting of: a microchip, aradio-frequency identification (RFID) tag, a barcode, and a QuickResponse (QR) code.

The appliance as claimed above further including a network interface indata communication with the controller, the network interface beingconfigured to enable the controller to communicate with external networkresources.

The appliance as claimed above wherein the appliance is of a type fromthe group consisting of: a clothes washer, clothes dryer, a steamcleaner, an industrial clothes press, a dishwasher, and a refrigerator.

The appliance as claimed above wherein the item information is of a typefrom the group consisting of: item care instructions, the itemmanufacturer, a date of manufacture or purchase, a name or identity ofan owner or purchaser, and an item stock keeping unit (SKU) number.

The appliance as claimed above being further configured to detectconflicting care needs of items placed in the appliance.

A method comprising: reading an electronically readable tag attached toan item placed in an electrical device to retrieve item information fromthe electronically readable tag; generating operational messages andcontrol commands based on the item information; displaying theoperational messages for a user/operator of the electrical device, theoperational messages being based on the item information; and issuingcontrol signals for controlling the electrical device, the controlsignals being based on the item information.

The method as claimed above further including scanning item informationfrom the electronically readable tag attached to the item placed in theelectrical device.

The method as claimed above wherein the electronically readable tag isof a type from the group consisting of: a microchip, a radio-frequencyidentification (RFID) tag, a barcode, and a Quick Response (QR) code.

The method as claimed above further including providing a networkinterface in data communication with a controller to enable thecontroller to communicate with external network resources.

The method as claimed above wherein the electrical device is of a typefrom the group consisting of: a clothes washer, a clothes dryer, a steamcleaner, an industrial clothes press, a dishwasher, a refrigerator, andan appliance.

The method as claimed above wherein the item information is of a typefrom the group consisting of: item care instructions, the itemmanufacturer, a date of manufacture or purchase, a name or identity ofan owner or purchaser, and an item stock keeping unit (SKU) number.

The method as claimed above including detecting conflicting care needsof items placed in the electrical device.

An apparatus comprising: a controller means; a tag reader interfacingmeans in data communication with the controller means, the tag readerinterfacing means being configured to receive item information read froman electronically readable tag attached to an item placed in anelectrical device; a display device driving means in data communicationwith the controller means for driving the display of operationalmessages for a user/operator of the electrical device, the operationalmessages being based on the item information; and an applianceinterfacing means in data communication with the controller means forreceiving control commands from the controller means and for issuingcorresponding control signals for controlling the electrical device, thecontrol commands being based on the item information.

The apparatus as claimed above further including a scanner interfacingmeans in data communication with the controller means, the scannerinterfacing means being configured to receive item information read fromthe electronically readable tag attached to the item placed in theelectrical device.

The apparatus as claimed above wherein the electronically readable tagis of a type from the group consisting of: a microchip, aradio-frequency identification (RFID) tag, a barcode, and a QuickResponse (QR) code.

The apparatus as claimed above further including a network interfacingmeans in data communication with the controller means, the networkinterfacing means being configured to enable the controller means tocommunicate with external network resources.

The apparatus as claimed above wherein the electrical device is of atype from the group consisting of: a clothes washer, a clothes dryer, asteam cleaner, an industrial clothes press, a dishwasher, arefrigerator, and an appliance.

The apparatus as claimed above wherein the item information is of a typefrom the group consisting of: item care instructions, the itemmanufacturer, a date of manufacture or purchase, a name or identity ofan owner or purchaser, and an item stock keeping unit (SKU) number.

The apparatus as claimed above being further configured to detectconflicting care needs of items placed in the electrical device.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R.§1.72(b), requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to quicklyascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted withthe understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit thescope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing DetailedDescription, it can be seen that various features are grouped togetherin a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure.This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting anintention that the claimed embodiments require more features than areexpressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claimsreflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of asingle disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are herebyincorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing onits own as a separate embodiment.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a controller; a tagreader interface in data communication with the controller, the tagreader interface being configured to receive item information read fromeach of a plurality of electronically readable tags directly attached toeach of a plurality of items placed in an electrical device; and anappliance interface in data communication with the controller forreceiving control commands from the controller and for issuingcorresponding control signals for controlling the electrical device, thecontrol commands being based on the item information from the pluralityof items in the electrical device, the controller being furtherconfigured to detect conflicting care needs of the plurality of itemsplaced in the electrical device.
 2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1further including a scanner interface in data communication with thecontroller, the scanner interface being configured to receive iteminformation read from each of the electronically readable tags directlyattached to each of the plurality of items placed in the electricaldevice.
 3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of theelectronically readable tags is of a type from the group consisting of:a microchip, a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag, a barcode, anda Quick Response (QR) code.
 4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1further including a network interface in data communication with thecontroller, the network interface being configured to enable thecontroller to communicate with external network resources.
 5. Theapparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the item information is of atype from the group consisting of: item care instructions, the itemmanufacturer, a date of manufacture or purchase, a name or identity ofan owner or purchaser, and an item stock keeping unit (SKU) number. 6.The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further including a display devicedriver in data communication with the controller for driving the displayof operational messages for a user/operator of the electrical device,the operational messages being based on the item information from theplurality of items in the electrical device.
 7. The apparatus as claimedin claim 1 wherein the electrical device is of a type from the groupconsisting of: a clothes washer, a clothes dryer, a steam cleaner, anindustrial clothes press, a dishwasher, a refrigerator, and anappliance.
 8. An appliance comprising: a tag reader configured to readitem information from each of a plurality of electronically readabletags directly attached to each of a plurality of items placed in theappliance, the plurality of items being placed in the appliance for oneor more cycles of the appliance; and an appliance control module in datacommunication with the tag reader, the appliance control moduleincluding: a controller; a tag reader interface in data communicationwith the controller and the tag reader, the tag reader interface beingconfigured to receive the item information read from each of theelectronically readable tags directly attached to each of the pluralityof items placed in the appliance; and an appliance interface in datacommunication with the controller for receiving control commands fromthe controller and for issuing corresponding control signals to theappliance, the control commands being based on the item information fromthe plurality of items in the appliance, the controller being furtherconfigured to detect conflicting care needs of the plurality of itemsplaced in the appliance.
 9. The appliance as claimed in claim 8 furtherincluding a scanner interface in data communication with the controller,the scanner interface being configured to receive item information readfrom each of the electronically readable tags directly attached to eachof the plurality of items placed in the appliance.
 10. The appliance asclaimed in claim 8 wherein each of the electronically readable tags isof a type from the group consisting of: a microchip, a radio-frequencyidentification (RFID) tag, a barcode, and a Quick Response (QR) code.11. The appliance as claimed in claim 8 further including a networkinterface in data communication with the controller, the networkinterface being configured to enable the controller to communicate withexternal network resources.
 12. The appliance as claimed in claim 8wherein the item information is of a type from the group consisting of:item care instructions, the item manufacturer, a date of manufacture orpurchase, a name or identity of an owner or purchaser, and an item stockkeeping unit (SKU) number.
 13. The appliance as claimed in claim 8further including a display device driver in data communication with thecontroller for driving the display of operational messages for auser/operator of the appliance, the operational messages being based onthe item information from the plurality of items in the appliance. 14.The appliance as claimed in claim 8 wherein the appliance is of a typefrom the group consisting of: a clothes washer, a clothes dryer, a steamcleaner, an industrial clothes press, a dishwasher, and a refrigerator.15. A method comprising: reading each of a plurality of electronicallyreadable tags directly attached to each of a plurality of items placedin an electrical device to retrieve item information from each of theelectronically readable tags, the plurality of items being placed in theelectrical device for one or more cycles of the electrical device;detecting conflicting care needs of the plurality of items placed in theelectrical device; and issuing control signals for controlling theelectrical device, the control signals being based on the iteminformation from the plurality of items in the electrical device. 16.The method as claimed in claim 15 further including scanning iteminformation from each of the electronically readable tags directlyattached to each of the plurality of items placed in the electricaldevice.
 17. The method as claimed in claim 15 wherein each of theelectronically readable tags is of a type from the group consisting of:a microchip, a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag, a barcode, anda Quick Response (QR) code.
 18. The method as claimed in claim 15further including displaying operational messages for a user/operator ofthe electrical device, the operational messages being based on the iteminformation from the plurality of items in the electrical device. 19.The method as claimed in claim 15 wherein the electrical device is of atype from the group consisting of: a clothes washer, a clothes dryer, asteam cleaner, an industrial clothes press, a dishwasher, arefrigerator, and an appliance.
 20. An apparatus comprising: acontroller means; a tag reader interfacing means in data communicationwith the controller means, the tag reader interfacing means beingconfigured to receive item information read from each of a plurality ofelectronically readable tags directly attached to each of a plurality ofitems placed in an electrical device, the plurality of items beingplaced in the electrical device for one or more cycles of the electricaldevice; and an appliance interfacing means in data communication withthe controller means for receiving control commands from the controllermeans and for issuing corresponding control signals for controlling theelectrical device, the control commands being based on the iteminformation from the plurality of items in the electrical device, thecontroller means being further configured to detect conflicting careneeds of the plurality of items placed in the electrical device.
 21. Theapparatus as claimed in claim 20 wherein each of the electronicallyreadable tags is of a type from the group consisting of: a microchip, aradio-frequency identification (RFID) tag, a barcode, and a QuickResponse (QR) code.